Asparagaceae

Asparagus is the classical Greek name applied to these plants by Theophrastus, who was born about 370BC. It alludes to the roughness of the plant. Family sometimes included in the Liliaceae. Herbs, shrubs or climbers (twine anticlockwise). Leaves alternate, much reduced so that the stem is the main photosynthetic organ. Flowers solitary or clustered, regular, 3-merous, both perianth whorls similar. Ovary 3-locular, fruit a berry.